Landscaping Rules in Eagan, MN (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Eagan, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Eagan City Code § 7.08, Subdivision 1.D.5 requires overhanging branches of mature deciduous trees in a street right-of-way to clear at least 13.5 feet above the street surface and 8 feet above the ground everywhere else in public areas, whether the tree sits in the right-of-way or overhangs from private property. The city can order a violating owner to trim or remove the growth.
Eagan Tree Clearance Over Streets
Some RestrictionsEagan City Code § 7.08
5.Overhanging branches of all deciduous trees within public street rights-of-way and within ten feet of private streets shall, at the time of maturity, be at least thirteen and one-half feet above street surfaces and at least eight feet above the ground for all other public places. This requirement includes trees that are planted on private property, but overhang within public areas or rights-o...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Eagan, significant trees, specimen trees and significant woodlands on a development site cannot come down until the city approves a tree preservation plan under City Code § 11.70, Subd. 13. Removing more than the code's allowed percentage, or clearing a protected tree without approval, triggers a per-diameter-inch cash mitigation payment to the city.
Eagan Protected Tree Removal Limits
Significant RestrictionsEagan City Code § 11.70
10.Compliance with plan. The applicant shall implement the tree preservation plan prior to and during any construction. ... (a)No significant trees, specimen trees, or significant woodlands shall be removed until a tree preservation plan is approved and except in accordance with the approved tree preservation plan as approved by the city. If a significant tree(s), specimen tree(s) or any signif...
Weed Ordinances
Eagan City Code § 10.21 caps vegetation height on any built lot, and on vacant parcels under one acre, at eight inches, measured from ground level to the tip of each blade or stalk. Anything taller, including overgrown turf and noxious weeds, is unmanaged vegetation and a public nuisance the property owner must abate. Community Development enforces it, and a violation can bring a misdemeanor charge.
Eagan 8-Inch Weed and Grass Limit
Some RestrictionsEagan City Code § 10.21
Subd. 3. Establishment and maintenance of turf grass and other permitted vegetation. A.This section applies to any lot with a building, and any lot, outlot, or parcels less than one acre in area without a building. Properties exempt from this section include undeveloped lots, outlots or parcels with a contiguous area of more than one acre; any privately owned land encumbered by a stormwater bas...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Eagan, the city can restrict the times and hours residents may run lawn and garden sprinklers, irrigation systems, car washing and air conditioning whenever it determines a water shortage threatens the city, announcing the specific limits through the news media.
Eagan Emergency Sprinkling Restrictions
Some RestrictionsEagan City Code § 3.20, Subd. 6
Subd. 6.Restricted hours for sprinkling. Whenever the city shall determine that a shortage of water threatens the city, it may limit the times and hours during which water may be used from the city water system for lawn and garden sprinkling, irrigation, car washing, air conditioning, and other uses, or either or any of them. It is unlawful for any water consumer to cause or permit water to be ...
Native Plants
Eagan lets homeowners replace turf grass with native grasses, wildflowers, rain gardens and other managed natural landscapes, but only after registering the planting with the city under City Code § 10.21, Subd. 3.C. The registration lasts five years and locks the owner into a written maintenance plan the city can enforce.
Eagan Managed Natural Landscape Registration
Some RestrictionsEagan City Code § 10.21
Managed natural landscape means a planned, intentional, and maintained planting of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plants. Managed natural landscapes do not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural state. ... C.Requirements for managed ...
Composting
In the City of Eagan, backyard composting is only allowed in residential and agricultural districts, and the enclosure cannot exceed 100 cubic feet on lots of 12,000 square feet or less, or 150 cubic feet on larger lots. Meat, bones, fat, oils, dairy, synthetic fibers and pet waste are all barred from the pile, and it must sit at least 30 feet from any habitable building.
Eagan Sets Backyard Compost Bin Size Limits
Some RestrictionsEagan City Code § 10.01
F.Backyard composting.1.Requirements. No composting shall be permitted except in residential dwelling districts and agricultural districts upon compliance with the following requirements:(a)Yard waste shall be composted within an enclosure with a minimum of three sides or circular, not to exceed a total of 100 cubic feet in volume for the residential lots of 12,000 square feet or less or 150 cu...
Looking for Dakota County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Eagan city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Dakota County →